The rivalry reignited in August 2026, after a viral 'Apologise to Hrithik' trend started on social media amid the controversy around Kangana Ranaut's remarks against the Gen Z. The trend led to Hrithik comment on a social media post. The actor wrote, "My friend, siding with 'A' just cause you don't like 'B' anymore is a small part of the larger systemic issue plaguing our society. I'll wait, for when the context to it is the right one, and motivated by facts. That would be fair. But then again, who cares anymore right?"

Kangana then hit back at Hrithik by posting a clear message for him on her Instagram Stories. She wrote, "Dear Hrithik I am happy that you have found your perfect match, Saba Azad and you both look great together, you are in a committed relationship and it doesn't suit you to tease a woman like this, instead you should condemn all those who are harassing and bullying me using your name, stop adding fuel to fire and embarrassing your partner, hope better sense prevails and you stop making unreasonable comments (sic)."

However, their alleged feud dates back to 2009-2010, when the two starred together in Kangana and Hrithik star in Kites. Kangana claims it was on the sets of the film where their secret relationship started.

Kangana alleged that their romantic relationship began during the filming of Kites while Hrithik was still married to Sussanne Khan. 

They later starred together in Krrish 3. It was during this film that media speculation and industry rumours about their equation started doing the rounds. 

In January 2014, Kangana Ranaut claimed that Hrithik proposed to her in Paris with a ring. Hrithik later disapproved the claim using his passport travel logs.

In May that year Kangana mentions an email conversation to Hrithik at an industry party hosted by Karan Johar. Hrithik informed her that the email address she has been messaging (hroshan@email.com) is not his and even shared his actual ID. Later in December, Hrithik filed an anonymous complaint with the Mumbai Police Cyber Cell, alleging that an unknown imposter has been using a fake email ID to communicate with fans and colleagues.

In January 2016, Kangana, during an interview to Pinkvilla, was asked if she was dropped from Aashiqui 3 because of Hrithik. She responded saying, "I don't know why exes do silly things to get your attention."

Following her remark, Hrithik hit back at her on X (formerly Twitter) saying there are "more chances of me having had an affair with the Pope" than the women media specifies. The next month, Hrithik sent a formal 4-page legal notice demanding a public apology from Kangana for defamation.

In March 2016, Kangana countered by submitting a 21-page legal response, wherein she accused Hrithik of intimidation, hacking her account, and attempting to cover up their past relationship.

In April 2016, Hrithik's legal team submitted his passport logs to the police, proving he never travelled to Paris in January 2014. Around the same time, police sources revealed Kangana sent over 3,000 unilateral emails to Hrithik's actual ID.

During her appearance on the talk show Aap Ki Adalat with Rajat Sharma in September 2017, Kangana revived the controversy, making a bold statement. She said, "I want Hrithik Roshan's apology for causing mental trauma."

After the Cyber Cell filed a "NIL report," closing its inquiry in 2016, Hrithik’s legal counsel submitted a formal request for the unresolved 2016 imposter FIR is officially transferred from the Cyber Cell to the Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) of the Mumbai Crime Branch.